The city is formally known as the City of Brighton and Hove and while most attractions here are in Brighton, the Hove Museum and Art Gallery is in Hove, actually.
The museum is housed inside Brooker Hall, a 19th-century villa in Hove. The building was built in 1877, was acquired by Hove Borough Council in 1926 and opened as a museum in 1927. Over the years, the museum has evolved, shifting its focus to celebrate creativity in all its forms.
What to see at the Hove Museum of Creativity
The museum has a variety of displays that include a toy collection, fine art, exhibits about film and media and displays about local history.
The Jaipur Gate is one of the museum’s highlights, commissioned in 1886 for the Colonial and Indian Exhibition at South Kensington and donated to the museum in 1926.
The museum also has displays about Hove’s local history chronicling the evolution of Hove from prehistoric times to the present day.
One of the most beloved features is the Wizard’s Attic gallery, home to the museum’s extensive collection of toys. With artefacts from the late 19th century to modern times, the collection showcases toys that reflect the changing trends and societal values. This gallery features artefacts ranging from antique dolls and classic board games to action figures and video games.
The museum also delves into the world of film and media, offering insights into the development of moving images and their impact on society. Exhibits explore the evolution of animation and special effects with displays featuring early cinema artefacts.
The museum was formerly known as the Hove Museum and Art Gallery and despite its name change, it still retains galleries dedicated to fine art and crafts. The museum’s fine art exhibits are complemented by craft displays highlighting the intricate and diverse world of creative artistry, featuring ceramics, textiles and glassworks.
Temporary exhibitions at the Hove Museum of Creativity
In addition to its permanent galleries, the museum hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions. Current and planned exhibitions include:
The Mechanical Circus
The Mechanical Circus (until 21 April 2025) showcases ten circus-themed automata, combining art and robotic engineering. The exhibits come to life with the push of a button, while an accompanying film reveals the mechanics behind these creations. Visitors can also take part in an interactive build zone. The Mechanical Circus is developed and toured by Cabaret Mechanical Theatre.
What’s in the Box?
Inspired by Jonathan Wright’s Constellation sculpture in the museum’s garden, the latest What’s in the Box? display explores the theme of ‘Sparkle & Shine’. The exhibition (until 1 May 2025) presents a selection of glittering objects from Brighton & Hove Museum’s collections.
Visiting the Hove Museum of Creativity
The Hove Museum of Creativity is in a residential area of Hove but it has excellent transport connections to other parts of the Brighton area and you can walk into the centre of Brighton in around half an hour. Bus routes 1, 1A, 6 and 71 take around seven minutes to get into the centre of Brighton with buses running every five minutes or so.
The museum is open every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Admission to the museum is free of charge although there is sometimes a charge to visit temporary exhibitions.
The museum is fully wheelchair accessible.
Free Wi-Fi wireless internet access is available throughout the museum.
The museum has a gift shop. The museum’s cafe is temporarily closed but there a pub around the corner (The Connaught) and there are several places to eat and drink just a few minutes walk up the road.
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